
Well well well…3 wins in a row against: Chelsea, Utd and now West Ham! Well done to our team and it makes it all the more painful that we could not get a point against Palace, Brighton and Southampton. A win against Southampton would have been sufficient to put us safely into the 4th place and actually challenge for 3rd given Chelsea’s woes…but the past is the past…and at this stage, we are just holding on to our Top 4 spot.
We did not play well. We did not control the game at all, especially the first 15 and the last 15 mins of the game. We gave away the ball and some chances easily and in the first half, we were lethargic. Rob Holding scored a goal on a set piece before half-time but not late enough in the half as 6 minutes later, West Ham levelled due to poor defending from Tavares and a good cross and finish from our opponents. The first 25 mins of the second half we did play better and with intent and a bit of urgency. Gabriel scored an almost identical goal than his CB partner in the second half and then we just tried not to conceded but at the same time, we did have some chances to put the game to bed but Nketiah did not have his accurate shooting boots on yesterday…
So we will take the game and three points, the goals from our CBs and our ability to win despite playing like a team fighting for relegation at times…
Ramsdale – 7 – some good saves
Tomy – 6 – good to see him back in action
Rob – 8.5 – deputized for White and definitely my MOTM. Played well in both boxes. Ramsdale credites Rob Holding’s first ever goal in the EPL to his new hairline – he is a funny bloke this Ramsdale
Gabs – 7.5 – a well taken goal, could have done a bit more on the goal we conceded
Nuno – 4.5 – at fault for the goal, decent going forward but too often exposed defensively
El Neny – 6 – a fighter but some unusual reckless passes
Xhaka – 6 – a fighter, some odd passing as well
Saka – 7 – unusually quite for his standards but did create some chances nevertheless
Ode – 6 – A day off.
Gabi – 6 – A day off as well.
Nketiah – 7.5 – Adding some pace and pressing to our game up front. Unlucky not to score, had some decent chances but overall, did well. What if he stayed and Laca left?…He is definitely in a good moment…
Next up, Leeds – another final, another must win! COYG!